Arrhythmias have many causes. Chronic conditions may gradually damage the heart's structure or electrical system over a period of years while a
heart attack
, may cause sudden, urgent rhythm disturbances. Prevention of arrhythmias is mostly a matter of keeping your heart healthy and preventing recurrent rhythm disturbances. Many risk factors can be managed or changed. The more risk factors you control, the more you reduce your risk.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Arrhythmias

There are a few measures that specifically influence your risk of arrhythmias.

Manage Stress

Stress may raise your risk of arrhythmias if you have predisposing factors. Stress or anxiety can quickly increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Chronic stress can compound these problems. If you cannot eliminate stress from your life, you can take steps to manage it. You may want to try some of the following techniques:

Counseling

Stress management classes

Relaxation techniques

Yoga

Regular exercise

Beware of Medications That May Cause Arrhythmias

Ask your doctor or pharmacist what effect your medications will have on your heart rhythm. If you are predisposed to arrhythmias, ask about substitutes for the medications that can precipitate an abnormal rhythm. Be particularly wary of:

Exercise regularly—Choose exercises you enjoy and will make a regular part of your day. Exercise reduces stress, improves your mood, and helps strengthen your heart muscle. In general, aim for at least 30 minutes per day on most days of the week. If you have a sedentary job, it may be beneficial to aim for 60 minutes of exercise a day. Talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Drink alcohol in moderation—Moderate drinking is one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or one ounce of 100-proof spirits.

Maintain a healthy weight—Portion control, combined with healthy food choices, will keep you on the right track. If you need help, check the
Choose My Plate
or
American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
websites.

Manage other health conditions—If you have other health conditions, such as
high cholesterol
,
high blood pressure
, or diabetes, it is important to follow your treatment plan to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

12/15/2016 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113884/Physical-activity-for-cardiovascular-disease-prevention. Ekelund U, Steene-Johannessen J, Brown WJ. Does physical activity attenuate, or even eliminate, the detrimental association of sitting time with mortality? A harmonised meta-analysis of data from more than 1 million men and women. Lancet 2016;388(10051):1302-1310.